Which lock in is this? You mean apps for a particular OS? How is Apple any different than anyone else?

Yes, all mobile platforms have inherent forms of lock in, primarily the apps. My point is, users shouldn't feel compelled to buy other Apple products simply because they may own one. Buy whatever is best based upon your independent research. If the advantage of 'the ecosystem' proves worthy rather than a detriment, go for it. Personally, I enjoy several mobile and desktop platforms and like the diversity. Limiting myself to one would be very..... limiting.

Yes, all mobile platforms have inherent forms of lock in, primarily the apps. My point is, users shouldn't feel compelled to buy other Apple products simply because they may own one. Buy whatever is best based upon your independent research. If the advantage of 'the ecosystem' proves worthy rather than a detriment, go for it. Personally, I enjoy several mobile and desktop platforms and like the diversity. Limiting myself to one would be very..... limiting.

But unless you go with Java or web apps, which in themselves are inherently limited in their cross-platform operability, you'll have a platform lock-in. With the iOS App Store you should consider that the apps are considerably cheaper than the mobile app platforms that came before it, and Android's Market is mostly free with ads so I don't see a real lock-in that makes Apple a shameful abuser. What keeps me on the iPhone is the level of quality of the OS/apps on the device and in the store, not in spite of.

This bot has been removed from circulation due to a malfunctioning morality chip.

If you ever feel like you can't switch to something new because it will be inconvenient, you are suffering from 'lock-in'. All mobile platforms have varying degrees of it, but Apple is notoriously bad and they are not ashamed.

The expression "starting all over" can be used to dissuade people, but getting your contacts, mail and social media apps setup on a different mobile platform is a 15 minute process. Can you export an iphone call log? probably not so that will take a week or so to get back. The same simplicity of upgrading phones applies to other platforms as well, not a big deal. And, no plugging it in, which I think we all now enjoy.

How much can you do with an Android phone if you decide you don't want to be locked in by setting up a Google account?

Thus accepting terms which frees them to use whatever they want to gather about you and sell it to advertisers.

That's one "lock in" I can do without.

Better than my Bose, better than my Skullcandy's, listening to Mozart through my LeBron James limited edition PowerBeats by Dre is almost as good as my Sennheisers.

But unless you go with Java or web apps, which in themselves are inherently limited in their cross-platform operability, you'll have a platform lock-in. With the iOS App Store you should consider that the apps are considerably cheaper than the mobile app platforms that came before it, and Android's Market is mostly free with ads so I don't see a real lock-in that makes Apple a shameful abuser. What keeps me on the iPhone is the level of quality of the OS/apps on the device and in the store, not in spite of.

Sure, I respect your decision, but would disagree about android apps being mostly free with ads. What I see, for the most part, is two versions of each app, free/paid. Having 15 minutes to return a crappy app has proven invaluable. My annual app investment on any given platform is fairly negligible, doesn't affect my decision to pick the latest android tablet to see what quad-core with android 4.0 is like. I may keep it, return it, or sell it later. When windows 8 tablets hit, I will want to know what that is like. No amount of elegance or quality apps could prevent it.

How much can you do with an Android phone if you decide you don't want to be locked in by setting up a Google account?

Thus accepting terms which frees them to use whatever they want to gather about you and sell it to advertisers.

That's one "lock in" I can do without.

I haven't felt the hit from this yet. Not sure how it will arrive. Targeted ads in my email or search results? In any case, I can certainly move off google services without too much heartache. If it ever starts to smell, that's what will happen. So, I'm not feeling locked in. I'm not entrenched to the point where moving on would be too costly or burdensome.

Going public on the internet is about sacrificing some privacy. I've accepted it. The terms are acceptable to me.

I haven't felt the hit from this yet. Not sure how it will arrive. Targeted ads in my email or search results? In any case, I can certainly move off google services without too much heartache. If it ever starts to smell, that's what will happen. So, I'm not feeling locked in. I'm not entrenched to the point where moving on would be too costly or burdensome.

Going public on the internet is about sacrificing some privacy. I've accepted it. The terms are acceptable to me.

I had a friend who did, cheap Android handset on a low value plan, thought she had a bargain until she racked up $600 in excess data charges, playing ad supported "free" Angry Birds.

Of course to access the Android market you need a Google account, to use the navigation you have to enable location services, to use Amazon or phone company program repositories you have to enable 3rd party sources.

Better than my Bose, better than my Skullcandy's, listening to Mozart through my LeBron James limited edition PowerBeats by Dre is almost as good as my Sennheisers.

Agreed. Many people buy Android based on the Google name, and havent done the thorough research to realize how much they are giving up compared to iOS. A sort-of iPhone-alike is still an awesome gadget compared to what existed pre-iPhone; yet I see Android users fighting their phones to get simple tasks done, and running out of battery in the process, and I can only hope that they get some comfort from the Google brand name (and open buzzword that mainly helps the carriers/handset makers). Cheap is not always the best... and although Android exists to sell you to advertisers, Android handsets still arent even cheap! The handsets start at free (short-sighted gimmick) just like the iPhone does, and then they get abandoned to make you buy the next one. And then you buy the next one because the old one isnt good enough... unlike Apple users who come back to Apple because their last experience WAS so good!

Neither platform needs to lock you in: just choose free or ad-supported or at least cheap apps. If you spend a lot on paid appseven on Androidthen yes, thats an unavoidable lock-in of sorts: different OSs do not run the same native apps, so youd have to re-buy apps when you switch to iOS (or vice versa). Music is no lock-in: Apple doesnt use DRM, and iTunes/iOS support non-iTunes music just fine. Ditto for non-Apple eBooks. Movies? Yes, from any source, theyre sadly still DRM-burdened most of the time.

The lock-in isnt extra security measures or something; its that Apples whole system works so well together you dont want to settle for some other mess!

For the love of Satan, is there /anything/ you people can't turn into an anti-Android screed?

If you ever feel like you can't switch to something new because it will be inconvenient, you are suffering from 'lock-in'. All mobile platforms have varying degrees of it, but Apple is notoriously bad and they are not ashamed.

The expression "starting all over" can be used to dissuade people, but getting your contacts, mail and social media apps setup on a different mobile platform is a 15 minute process. Can you export an iphone call log? probably not so that will take a week or so to get back. The same simplicity of upgrading phones applies to other platforms as well, not a big deal. And, no plugging it in, which I think we all now enjoy.

On my Android phone, all of my contacts are synged to my Google Voice and I can sync them across many platforms.

"Starting all over" is seemingly biased. Didn't users have to start all over going from the Motorola RAZR to the iPhone (statistical data shows many have done that switch). Yes, one could argue that iOS has the best ecosystem management. But that seems like it would create an infinte "No one will switch because they don't want to leave their apps". What about when the apps are dated? I'm sure in the future iPhone won't be top dog so what timeline are we refering too? The next big phone that comes out, will people be willing to swtich? I think so. Especially considering younger generations these days are not brand loyal and will switch at the drop of a hat (Many American car companies are losing Gen Y car buyers to foreign companies...but that can change too).

Agreed. Many people buy Android based on the Google name, and havent done the thorough research to realize how much they are giving up compared to iOS. A sort-of iPhone-alike is still an awesome gadget compared to what existed pre-iPhone; yet I see Android users fighting their phones to get simple tasks done, and running out of battery in the process, and I can only hope that they get some comfort from the Google brand name (and open buzzword that mainly helps the carriers/handset makers). Cheap is not always the best... and although Android exists to sell you to advertisers, Android handsets still arent even cheap! The handsets start at free (short-sighted gimmick) just like the iPhone does, and then they get abandoned to make you buy the next one. And then you buy the next one because the old one isnt good enough... unlike Apple users who come back to Apple because their last experience WAS so good!

What are you talking about? You're making general assumptions that you are not backing up. Siri is a buzzword. "Magical" is a buzzword. Not everyone wants an Apple experience. My Vibrant is veyr easy to use.
And, okay, but are you saying that every person in every cell phone market can afford $200 PHONE? Even if you just included the free ones, remeber only ATT has the free iPhone.
So how exactly is iPhone going to overtake the market? Part of the problem with iPhone NOT being fragmented, is they automatically bar themselves from some segments of the market. Some jobs absolutely will NOT let you have a camera phone, that's why Motorola released the Droid Pro (no camera, keyboard). Companies and people are constantly on the move and can't wait for Apple to make a change....they need decisions now.

Neither platform needs to lock you in: just choose free or ad-supported or at least cheap apps. If you spend a lot on paid appseven on Androidthen yes, thats an unavoidable lock-in of sorts: different OSs do not run the same native apps, so youd have to re-buy apps when you switch to iOS (or vice versa). Music is no lock-in: Apple doesnt use DRM, and iTunes/iOS support non-iTunes music just fine. Ditto for non-Apple eBooks. Movies? Yes, from any source, theyre sadly still DRM-burdened most of the time.

The lock-in isnt extra security measures or something; its that Apples whole system works so well together you dont want to settle for some other mess!

It is a lock-in so they can guarantee their getting their profits. I can download the App Market from Amazon and get many paid apps free-THAT'S freedom.

I bought some apps on my Vibrant and, VOILA!, I was able to download them on my Nexus 4G.

On my Android phone, all of my contacts are synged to my Google Voice and I can sync them across many platforms.

"Starting all over" is seemingly biased. Didn't users have to start all over going from the Motorola RAZR to the iPhone (statistical data shows many have done that switch). Yes, one could argue that iOS has the best ecosystem management. But that seems like it would create an infinte "No one will switch because they don't want to leave their apps". What about when the apps are dated? I'm sure in the future iPhone won't be top dog so what timeline are we refering too? The next big phone that comes out, will people be willing to swtich? I think so. Especially considering younger generations these days are not brand loyal and will switch at the drop of a hat (Many American car companies are losing Gen Y car buyers to foreign companies...but that can change too).

You can sync iOS devices with Google as well, via Exchange.

Swapping iOS Apps for Java/Dalvik programs is another story.

Google voice is pointless and useless for most of the world.

In my case I have one number, it is always with me, I have visual voicemail, I have unlimited text, I don't live in the US.

If it worked there is an iOS App anyway.

While iOS developers make more money than from other platforms they will continue to lead.

This situation is not likely to change anytime soon, no matter how many low end, cheap Android devices, only capable of running basic Java programs there are being sold.

Better than my Bose, better than my Skullcandy's, listening to Mozart through my LeBron James limited edition PowerBeats by Dre is almost as good as my Sennheisers.

In my case I have one number, it is always with me, I have visual voicemail, I have unlimited text, I don't live in the US.

If it worked there is an iOS App anyway.

I was merely responding the to mere fact that someone may not want to change phones because of their contacts. Which I actually had an issue when I switched from my Vibrant to the iPhone 4S. For some reason my contacts I couldn't save to google, as it was just saved to my phone. *painfully had to add contacts back again*

I wouldn't say GVoice is pointless and useless if most people haven't been exposed. I like having one number that I can use without having to port. Especially having an extra number is good for my spying/save the world duties, prostitutin, and whatnots.

I was merely responding the to mere fact that someone may not want to change phones because of their contacts. Which I actually had an issue when I switched from my Vibrant to the iPhone 4S. For some reason my contacts I couldn't save to google, as it was just saved to my phone. *painfully had to add contacts back again*

I wouldn't say GVoice is pointless and useless if most people haven't been exposed. I like having one number that I can use without having to port. Especially having an extra number is good for my spying/save the world duties, prostitutin, and whatnots.

I often wondered why Android phones can't use Google as Exchange, it would make things a hell of a lot easier.

Maybe it's their attempt to lock people in.

Better than my Bose, better than my Skullcandy's, listening to Mozart through my LeBron James limited edition PowerBeats by Dre is almost as good as my Sennheisers.

I often wondered why Android phones can't use Google as Exchange, it would make things a hell of a lot easier.

Maybe it's their attempt to lock people in.

People don't mention that Google locks you in in other ways. These little things that annoy me here and there. Ah, but that's platforms anyways. Of course, these companies are businesses and can't loose too much money.

For example, Anroid phones don't always have WiFi Hotspot built in and many apps have been pulled. I rooted my sister's EVO and messed up some stuff badly as I lost my Clear keys. That was the last time I rooted. Freedom my ass. I just payed the $30 Hotspot fee nowdays.

People don't mention that Google locks you in in other ways. These little things that annoy me here and there. Ah, but that's platforms anyways. Of course, these companies are businesses and can't loose too much money.

For example, Anroid phones don't always have WiFi Hotspot built in and many apps have been pulled. I rooted my sister's EVO and messed up some stuff badly as I lost my Clear keys. That was the last time I rooted. Freedom my ass. I just payed the $30 Hotspot fee nowdays.

I pay nothing for it on my iPhone, it's part of my plan although I only get 2GB, I've found that's plenty for the occasional times I use it.

Better than my Bose, better than my Skullcandy's, listening to Mozart through my LeBron James limited edition PowerBeats by Dre is almost as good as my Sennheisers.

Too bad it doesn't work internationally, a legal issue apparently. Glad to see international users have good voip options with ios.

If apple would have supported google voice from the beginning, I may have gone with an iPhone back then. Google voice affords a lot of freedom and advantages like free unlimited SMS, no text plan required. It gives the user control over incoming calls rather than the carrier. Inbound calls can ring your cell, plus any other phone or gmail web page in desktop OS. It can be leveraged to provide a free incoming landline (pap2 box) so the cordless phones in your house ring. As someone else mentioned, you can move carriers without porting. You can overlap cell plans while switching carriers. You can go without any plan at all if you needed to for a short time. What else? Voice messages get transcribed to text, an adequate job at least.

Apple finally approved a crippled version of google voice making it very inelegant.

Too bad it doesn't work internationally, a legal issue apparently. Glad to see international users have good voip options with ios.

If apple would have supported google voice from the beginning, I may have gone with an iPhone back then. Google voice affords a lot of freedom and advantages like free unlimited SMS, no text plan required. It gives the user control over incoming calls rather than the carrier. Inbound calls can ring your cell, plus any other phone or gmail web page in desktop OS. It can be leveraged to provide a free incoming landline (pap2 box) so the cordless phones in your house ring. As someone else mentioned, you can move carriers without porting. You can overlap cell plans while switching carriers. You can go without any plan at all if you needed to for a short time. What else? Voice messages get transcribed to text, an adequate job at least.

Apple finally approved a crippled version of google voice making it very inelegant.

I have no use for it, as I stated before all my needs are met by my iPhone which is always on me, I have a landline for ADSL, I didn't even bother plugging a phone in.

Better than my Bose, better than my Skullcandy's, listening to Mozart through my LeBron James limited edition PowerBeats by Dre is almost as good as my Sennheisers.

I have no use for it (google voice), as I stated before all my needs are met by my iPhone which is always on me, I have a landline for ADSL, I didn't even bother plugging a phone in.

Because no one calls that number (ADSL line)? If your incoming calls rang the cordless phones around the house and it wouldn't deduct from your cell plan minutes, wouldn't that be better? If your computer popped up an incoming call window when you had a call coming in and all you had to do was click it and start speaking, would that be easier than looking for your phone or bluetooth?